Tracks: Jax Raceways to Hold Big Holiday Late Model Event
3 September 1999
Jacksonville Florida..... By Donnie Helmly (September 2 1999) Racing action this holiday weekend will be fast and exciting at Jax Raceway's half mile NASCAR sanctioned track, as they play host to a special 50 lap $1,500 to win event for the Winston Racing Series Late Model division. Drivers from all over South Georgia and North Florida are expected to be on hand. The night will begin with qualifying for the premiere division, followed by heat events and features for all of the other four speedway divisions. Last week's action saw a father and son team running first and second. Post race inspection, however, changed the outcome of one finish, and the continuing dominance by one driver in another division. Randy Clark Sr. made it two in a row after crossing the finish line to win the Hobby Stock race, with his son Randy Clark Jr. glued to his bumper for second. The elder of the two set fast time in qualifying action turning the track in 21.68 seconds, with Jr. setting second fast time, placing the two on the front row for the start of the event. Randy Clark Sr. took off in the lead, with third place starter Tony Callaway in second, and Randy Clark Jr. in third. Jr. made the move to the second spot by lap four, but wouldn't be able to take the front spot from his dad, and settled for second. Points leader Eddie Holton made the move from his seventh starting spot to finish third, with Callaway in fourth and Ronnie Ponce making up the top five. The NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model Division saw few surprises, as points leader Jeff Godbee continued with his dominance. Godbee set fast time in qualifying action, and led all 30 laps of the race. "Rookie of the Year" candidate Michael Murrer would chase Godbee the entire event to finish second, with former division champion Steve Whitener in third and Buster DeLay and Terry Pless making up the top five. The Pure Stock Division saw post race inspection change the outcome of the 15-lap feature event. "Rookie of the Year" candidate Chad Grogan led the field to a flag to flag win to claim his second win of the year. Grogan held off Priscilla Yergy and Windal Clark for the win. Gorgan's celebration would be short lived, however, as Yergy filed a protest against Gorgan's engine. Gorgan's motor failed post race inspection, and Yergy was awarded her fourth win of the season. Clark moved up to second with Bill Burkhart, Ray Pruett and Jimmy Balkcom rounding out the top five. Kevin Bayless circled the "D" shaped oval for 20 laps up front of the Open Wheel Modified feature event to claim his fifth victory of the 1999 season. Bayless won his respected heat event, starting him on the pole. Bayless out fired Eric Tatum for the front spot, and never relinquished it. Marty Whitener crossed the line in second, with Ronnie Ponce in third. Keny Porter and Kenny Bayless rounded out the top five.
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